What is the best artifact set for a shield support in Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact?

The best artifact set for a shield support in the Spiral Abyss in Genshin Impact is the Tenacity of the Millelith set. This set is specifically designed to enhance a character's ability to provide strong shields and support to the team, making it ideal for characters like Zhongli, Diona, or Thoma who excel in shielding. The Tenacity of the Millelith set provides a 20% increase to HP, which is crucial for shield strength, as most shields scale with the character's HP. Additionally, when an Elemental Skill hits an opponent, it increases the ATK of all nearby party members by 20% and their Shield Strength by 30% for 3 seconds. This effect can be triggered even if the character is not on the field, making it highly effective for shield supports who rely on their Elemental Skills to provide consistent protection.

To maximize the effectiveness of the Tenacity of the Millelith set, you should focus on building your shield support character with as much HP as possible. This means prioritizing HP% main stats on the Sands of Eon, Goblet of Eonothem, and Circlet of Logos artifacts. Substats should also prioritize HP%, followed by Energy Recharge to ensure that your character can use their Elemental Burst more frequently. For Zhongli, for example, his shield scales directly with his HP, so stacking HP will make his shield incredibly durable. Diona's shield also benefits from HP, and her healing scales with HP as well, making her a versatile support character.

In terms of team composition, a shield support character like Zhongli or Diona can fit into a variety of teams. For example, in a team with Ganyu as the main DPS, Diona can provide both shielding and Cryo resonance, which increases Crit Rate against enemies affected by Cryo. Zhongli, on the other hand, can fit into almost any team due to his universal resistance shred from his Jade Shield and his ability to petrify enemies with his Elemental Burst. Pairing Zhongli with a Geo DPS like Itto or Ningguang can also trigger Geo resonance, which increases shield strength and provides a damage bonus when protected by a shield.

When it comes to weapons, the best options for shield supports are those that further enhance their HP or provide utility to the team. For Zhongli, the Staff of Homa is an excellent choice as it provides a significant HP boost and increases ATK based on HP. For Diona, the Sacrificial Bow is a great option as it allows her to use her Elemental Skill twice, increasing the uptime of her shield and generating more energy particles. Thoma can benefit from the Black Tassel, which provides a straightforward HP boost, or the Favonius Lance, which helps with energy regeneration.

In the Spiral Abyss, timing and positioning are crucial for shield supports. You want to ensure that your shield is active before engaging in combat, especially against high-damage enemies like the Maguu Kenki or the Ruin Graders. For example, when facing the Maguu Kenki, you should activate your shield before it starts its high-damage attacks to mitigate the incoming damage. Additionally, you should be mindful of the cooldown of your shield and try to refresh it before it expires to maintain continuous protection.

One common mistake to avoid is neglecting Energy Recharge on your shield support character. While HP is important for shield strength, having enough Energy Recharge ensures that your character can use their Elemental Burst more frequently, which can provide additional utility or damage. For example, Zhongli's Elemental Burst not only deals significant damage but also petrifies enemies, giving your team a brief window to deal damage without interruption. Diona's Elemental Burst provides healing and an additional Cryo application, which can be crucial for triggering reactions in certain team compositions.

Advanced techniques for shield supports include using their Elemental Skills strategically to trigger the Tenacity of the Millelith set's buffs. For example, Zhongli's Stone Stele can continuously pulse damage, allowing you to maintain the ATK and Shield Strength buffs for your team. Diona's Elemental Skill can be used to apply Cryo to multiple enemies, setting up reactions for your main DPS. Additionally, you can use the shield support's Elemental Burst to interrupt enemy attacks or provide crowd control, giving your team more opportunities to deal damage.

In summary, the Tenacity of the Millelith set is the best artifact set for a shield support in the Spiral Abyss due to its HP boost and team-wide buffs. Building your shield support with high HP and sufficient Energy Recharge, choosing the right weapon, and positioning your shield effectively are key to maximizing their effectiveness. By avoiding common mistakes and utilizing advanced techniques, you can ensure that your shield support provides consistent protection and utility to your team, helping you tackle the challenging floors of the Spiral Abyss with ease.